According to The Times, Manchester United have moved ahead of Arsenal in the race, with Arsenal reluctant to meet West Ham United's valuation having only been monitoring the situation rather than making a concrete approach. Fabrizio Romano reported that United are preparing their first formal bid to West Ham, though sources indicate any opening offer will likely fall some distance below the £80 million the Hammers are seeking.
West Ham, relegated to the Championship after a disastrous Premier League campaign, signed Fernandes from Southampton last summer for a fee in excess of £38 million. The 21-year-old made 31 appearances in his debut season at the London Stadium, scoring five goals and adding four assists — form that earned him senior recognition with Portugal and made him one of the few bright spots in West Ham's relegation campaign.
Real Madrid have also been credited with serious interest, with new head coach José Mourinho personally keen on bringing his compatriot to the Bernabéu. According to reports, Fernandes's representatives are confident the player will ultimately move to Old Trafford regardless of Madrid's involvement.
West Ham face pressure to sell to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, though it remains unclear whether a sale needs to be completed before the end of this month. Any fee in the region of £80 million would represent a substantial profit on the £38 million fee paid to Southampton less than twelve months ago.
For United, Fernandes represents the second piece of a significant midfield rebuild. The club have already reached agreement with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Ederson in a deal worth around €45 million, expected to be finalised next month following his call-up to Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad. Casemiro has departed as a free agent, and Manuel Ugarte is expected to follow him out of the door.
United's pursuit of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson has effectively been abandoned, with the club unwilling to enter a bidding war against Manchester City over a fee that could exceed £130 million. Fernandes, at roughly half that price, represents a more measured outlay for a midfielder of considerable promise.
The midfield rebuild has a shape now: Ederson for control, Fernandes for energy and progression. Whoever joins them as a third addition — with Khéphren Thuram of Juventus among the names being considered — will complete a engine room that bears almost no resemblance to the one Casemiro anchored a year ago.